Discover the Best National Parks in Idaho for Outdoor Lovers (2024)

Located in the northwestern part of the United States, Idaho is a beautiful state with diverse landscapes and natural wonders. Idaho has a diverse and beautiful landscape that offers visitors plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, fishing, and rafting. Part of the scenic attraction of Idaho is that the state is home to many state and national parks, as well as many other protected natural areas. There is no doubt that national parks are among the most beautiful and awe-inspiring natural areas in the world, and not only that, but they also offer visitors the perfect opportunity to experience some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes on the planet.

The same holds true for the state of Idaho. Idaho is home to nearly nine national parks, each more stunning than the last.

Discover the Best National Parks in Idaho for Outdoor Lovers

Here are some of the best national parks in Idaho and what they offer to the many visitors who come to the Gem State to check out its abundant natural beauty.

1. City of Rocks National Reserve

The City of Rocks National Reserve is a protected area located in the southern part of Idaho. This is a must-see reserve that is made up of a unique rock formation that is famous for its climbing routes and scenic beauty. Visitors to the City of Rocks are left in awe looking at the vast collection of granite spires and towers that rise up to nearly 600 feet above the surrounding desert landscape. These amazing rock formations were created by volcanic activity that took place millions of years ago. Since then, nature and erosion have shaped them into their current structures.

The reserve is a much sought-after destination for rock climbers, who come from all over the world to climb the granite walls and towers of the City of Rocks. Apart from indulging in rock climbing, visitors to this national reserve can also enjoy hiking and camping inside the reserve. There are over 22 miles of hiking trails available in the reserve, with each of them ranging from being easy and pleasant walks to strenuous and challenging hikes that take you to the summits of some of the highest peaks in the region. The view from the top of these peaks is truly stunning and the memory will remain etched in your mind forever.

You can also indulge in fishing at the nearby fishing pond that is well-stocked with Rainbow Trout. The fishing pond is spread out over 2.6 acres, giving you the opportunity to fish to your heart’s content.

Meanwhile, for the nature lover, it is interesting to note that the reserve is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. Some of them include deer, elk, pronghorn, and many bird species. You can enjoy wildlife viewing and birdwatching throughout the numerous marked spots within the reserve.

The City of Rocks National Reserve is truly a unique and beautiful destination that offers thousands of visitors every year a chance to experience the natural beauty of southern Idaho up close.

2. Craters of the Moon National Monument

The stunning Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a protected area located in the south-central part of Idaho. This unique monument is a one of its kind national park and reserve that is home to a stunning volcanic landscape that was created by a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred nearly 15,000 to 2,000 years ago.

The entire area is home to many lava tubes, cinder cones, and other volcanic features that have, over the years, been shaped by millions of years of wind and water erosion. Visitors to the breathtaking Craters of the Moon National Monument must note that this park is sometimes also classified as a state park in Idaho.

While you are at this reserve, take some time out to explore the landscape through the many beautiful hiking trails, scenic drives, as well as the ranger-led programs that you can find out about at the visitor center at the entry of the park. There are over 60 miles of hiking trails in this national reserve. These trails range from being short, easy walks to the more difficult hikes that take you to the top of the unique cinder cones and other high points in the park that dot the landscape. The monument also has many well-developed camping grounds where you can spend the night and enjoy the marvelous night skies of the area. You will be amazed to see the clear night skies full of twinkling stars as you lie down gazing up at the neverending sky.

One of the most popular activities in the monument is, of course, to explore the many lava tubes that are found throughout this volcanic landscape. After all, you can only find these structures here at this national park due to the volcanic activity that took place here thousands of years ago. These underground tunnels were formed when the outer layers of lava solidified, while the molten lava continued to flow through the center, leaving behind a hollow tube. Tourists to the Craters of the Moon National Monument can explore these tubes by joining the many guided tours that take place throughout the day, or on your own. However, it is wise to be careful and be aware of the many dangers that lurk around as you explore the tunnels and tubes underground.

The Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a beautiful national park that offers you the perfect opportunity to explore a volcanic landscape unlike any other that is there in this stunning Gem State.

3. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

While not exactly your standard national park, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is also covered under the national parks of Idaho. And it is one of the best experiences visitors can have when they are out to explore the best national parks in Idaho.

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is a protected area that tracks down the historic route which was taken by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Lewis and Clark Expedition took place during their exploration of the western United States during the years 1804 to 1806. The trail actually takes you over 3,700 miles through 11 states – right from Illinois to Oregon, and also includes many sites of historical and cultural importance.

Visitors to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail can explore the entire history and culture of the awe-inspiring westward expansion of the US. This happens through a wide range of activities, including hiking, biking, boating, and even scenic driving. In fact, this trail is also recommended for those who want to embark on driving tours around Idaho. The trail also includes several interpretive centers, museums, and many other historic spots that offer deeper insights into the history and culture of this area.

One of the highlights of this trail is the Missouri National Recreational River, which was designated as a national park in 1978. The river features over 100 miles of scenic waterways that offer visitors the perfect opportunity to explore the area through many options like kayaking, canoeing, and even try out the places for fishing.

One more famous destination along the trail that you must check out is the Pompey’s Pillar National Monument in Montana. This monument is home to a magnificent 150-foot sandstone rock formation that was carved with the signature of William Clark during the expedition.

So if you want the perfect chance to see for yourself the history and culture of the western part of the country, a visit to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is the best destination for this.

4. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Located in the southwestern part of the Gem State, the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is a protected area that is spread out over nearly 4,351 acres. This national reserve opened its door to the public way back in 1988 in an attempt to protect the fossil deposits found in the area. The monument is located along the might Snake River, which is around 90 miles southeast of the capital city of Boise.

The monument is home to one of the richest fossil deposits from the late Pliocene era, which is goes back to approximately 3.5 million years ago. The fossils that are found in this area belong to over 200 different species, including horses, camels, rhinoceroses, mastodons, and many other mammals, birds, and reptiles.

One of the most famous fossils that is found at the Hagerman Fossil Beds National monument is that of the Hagerman Horse, which is a species of three-toed horse that lived in this area during the late Pliocene age. The discovery of this species of horse helped scientists in understanding the evolution of horses in the North America region.

Visitors to the monument can book guided tours of the fossil beds in order to help understand the significance of these fossils. These guided tours are led by park rangers or volunteers. There are also many exhibits as well as a visitor center where you get to learn more about the history and geology of this culturally important area.

To get to the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, you can take State Highway 30 to Hagerman, and then turn south onto State Highway 75. The monument is located just six miles south of Hagerman.

The Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is today an important site for scientific research as it provides the perfect opportunity to learn about the history of life on earth. Due to this, a lot of paleontological research takes place here. The monument is open all round the year, though visitor services are restricted during the winter months. While admission to the monument is free of cost, but if you want to camp out in the camping ground inside, you will need to pay a fee for camping.

5. Minidoka National Historic Site

Located in the south-central part of Idaho, the Minidoka National Historical Site used to be the site of a Japanese American internment camp in the World War II. This historic site is nestled very near to the town of Jerome, just 18 miles northeast of the city of Twin Falls. This was the location where over 13,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly moved to between 1942 and 1945, after the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Today, the Minidoka National Historic Site is famous for preserving the history and legacy of the Japanese American internment experience. When you arrive at this site, you get the opportunity to explore the remnants of the camp up close, including the barracks, mess halls, and several other buildings, while also learning about the day-to-day lives of the internees.

This is carried out through the use of numerous interpretive exhibits and ranger-led programs.

The Minidoka site is also home to a cemetery where some of the internees who died at the camp are buried. There is also a visitor center with exhibits, a bookstore, and a theater.

Apart from preserving the history of the Japanese American internment, the Minidoka National Historic Site also serves as an ideal place to take a few moments for reflecting and remembering those who were affected by this dark chapter in American history.